title: Measures of health-related quality of life and socio-cultural aspects in young patients who after mandible primary reconstruction with free fibula flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The reconstruction of mandibular defects after trauma or tumor resection is one of the most challenging problems facing reconstructive surgeons. Although the primary intended outcome of surgery to treat head-and-neck malignancies is still the disease-free survival of the patient, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is now seen as an essential secondary outcome. This study aims to evaluate HRQOL outcomes in young patients undergoing primary mandible reconstruction with free fibula flap and to collect information about their socio-cultural situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The HRQOL outcomes of 25 young patients after primary mandible reconstruction with free fibula flap for mandible malignancies were assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) and University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaires 12 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the UW-QOL questionnaire, the best-scoring domain was 'pain', whereas 'chewing' and 'anxiety' were given the lowest scores. Using the MOS SF-36 questionnaire, the best-scoring domain was 'physical functioning', while 'bodily pain' and 'general health' also scored well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mandible reconstruction with fibula flap will significantly influence a young patient's HRQOL. Young patients pay more attention to postoperative facial appearance; this should be considered in surgical planning. The socio-cultural data show a fairly low level of education for the majority of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatolagy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No,1 Jianshe East Road, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China. zzyfykq@126.com.
authors.forename: Juanfang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wenli
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Weihong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012922:Social Change; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires